Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Coventry Baths were opened on 23 April 1966 and granted Grade II listed status by English Heritage in December 1997 meaning they are "of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve them".

I am proud to say that my dad, Michael McLellan, was the principal architect and was awarded an MBE in 1984 for services to architecture.

I recently came across the Coventry Memories website which has more info on the baths. Included in that are scans of a substantial article published at the time of their construction in the trade magazine the Architects Journal.

Discussing this with dad he produced some previously unpublished photos taken by a colleague:

At the time of the listing he rang up English Heritage to find out more. Chatting to the young lady there (at his age they are all young) he was amused when she said, "It's so nice to talk to the actual architect - they're usually dead!"

Below is the description of the listing from Heritage Gateway.

Swimming Baths with attached sunbathing terraces. Designed 1956, built 1962-6 by Coventry City Architect's Department, under Arthur Ling and Terence Gregory; Michael McLellan principal architect, Paul Beney assistant in charge. Steel frame, suported on four main stanchions set outside the building envelope with much use of cantilevers, clad in brick with large areas of glazing. At upper levels mosaic finish of expressed trusses replaced in powder coated metal that is sympathetic to original intentions. Set on a tight site, an enfilade of three pools set in a single hall, the largest pool 'T'-shaped to include a diving area. This projects on the south elevation, which is particularly impressive, with full glazing round five sides. This has strong internal mullions, while externally the mullions and transoms form an even grid. The interior is particularly impressive. Main pool hall with seating for 1,174 spectators has 165' pool with diving area in projecting 'T'. Small teaching ppol set in low ceilinged space under projecting cafe and viewing area, with small pool beyond. These retain original brick and tile finishes. The elaborate facilities of the main pool were designed to meet international competition standards, and the pool became the regional competitive centre for the Midlands - a recognition of the impressive facilities provided rather than an original aim. Later sports hall to east with bridge link not of special interest. Wartime bombing destroyed four of Coventry's five swimming baths.

By 1956 the city decided that its needs would best be met by a very large central complex. Coventry and Hampstead were the only complexes of the period to be constructed with three pools, and at Coventry all three remain in use. The use of a steel frame and the longitudinal plan are also unusual features. Coventry is important as amongst the most ambitious baths built anywhere in Britain in the short period 1960-66 when large swimming complexes were encouraged. It is also one of the few buildings in the rebuilt Coventry centre to be a pure modern design: 'Coventry has been provided with one of the finest swimming pools in the world. It has probably no equal in Europe, and local pride has reason to be satisfied. ... The site for the Swimming Baths was constricted and the requirements complicated. Yet the result is undoubtedly an architectural success. The enormous bird-like form has an imaginative and dramatic elegance which outclasses any of the other recently erected buildings in central Coventry.' (Coventry New Architecture).

Many thanks to my ex-colleague Tony Fox-Griffith for organising a fine pub crawl. This post is lifted wholesale from his notes. Thanks Tony :-)

A group of around ten of us wandered from pub to pub tasting some very fine beers in some wonderful establishments.

"Clapham Clamber" Pub #1 — at The Windsor Castle

The Windsor Castle 36 St John’s Hill, a fine but slightly down-at-heel pub that’s good enough to be on CAMRA’s Regional Inventory of Historic Pubs. Sadly, it’s due to be redeveloped and, as it’s not a listed building, it undoubtedly will be demolished soon. It is a classic example of a “Brewers’ Tudor” pub which still conveys much of its original layout and feel. Originally built in 1890, it got its current look during the 1930s. It’s got a smallish public bar with typical inter-war fittings but what makes this worth visiting is the back room which is a great attempt at creating a medieval-style hall.

Wandsworth Common, an important historic common, the remains of more extensive Commonland that earlier went by a number of names including Battersea West Heath and Wandsworth East Heath. Part of the land had been enclosed and used to build the Royal Victoria Patriotic Building, amongst others. Efforts were made to preserve what was left and eventually Earl Spencer, Lord of the Manor, agreed to transfer most of the common to the Wandsworth Common Preservation Society in 1870.

The Royal Victoria Patriotic Building was built entirely by funds raised by the public administered by Prince Albert’s Royal Patriotic Fund, its foundation stone was laid by Queen Victoria in 1857. It was intended for the ‘Education and Training of three hundred Orphan Daughters of Soldiers, Seamen and Marines who perished in the Russian War, and for those who hereafter may require like succour’.

Le Gothique is a really surprising place to find a CAMRA Good Beer Guide registered pub but it is! They also run a Beer Festival twice a year – what a great place to sample beers! At the moment, they stock Sambrook’s Wandle and two from Shepherd Neame – Jack and Spitfire. They also do food – the restaurant is really expensive but their bar menu looks good. The down side is that they only serve the bar menu until 7:30.

"Clapham Clamber" Pub #3 — at The Roundhouse

The Roundhouse 2 Wandsworth Common Northside. It has had a somewhat chequered history and undergone a number of name-changes (it was called the Freemasons until fairly recently) but has reverted to its original name following its most recent facelift. It’s a modernised place which does good food.

"Clapham Clamber" Pub #4 — at The Falcon

Our final call was the marvellous Falcon at 2 St. John’s Hill. It’s a mightily impressive pub-cum-former-hotel built in 1887 with many original features – in sufficiently unspoilt condition that it is on CAMRA’s National Inventory of Historic Interiors. They also have a tremendous range of beers – too wide to list here!

It’s a showy piece of architecture, typical of its time. What really counts is the interior. There are a number of very fine examples of Victorian stained glass (apparently, although Tony's not located it, the rear bar shows funeral carriages stopping off at ‘Death’s Door’, the nickname for the pub when its landlord happened to be a Mr Death!).

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About Me

Sixty-something retired IT consultant living in London. Married to Mary and enjoying a dinky lifestyle in one of the greatest cities in the world. I do not blog political commentary, my work or my inner emotional life. That leaves my life really and the world around me. Enjoy it or not as you wish. For more see my Blog Manifesto